The Hussein-Ishmael

The Hussein-Ishmael is a halal butcher outside of which Archie attempts to commit suicide and is instead urged to move on.

The Watchtower

The Watchtower is a secular magazine published by Jehovah's Witnesses. Clara's mother is a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Clara grows up peddling these magazines to neighbors in order to save her soul.

Letters from Horst Ibelgaufts

Archie receives irregular letters from Horst Ibelgaufts, an opponent in a track cycling race, of which he believes are somehow psychically relevant to the events in his life.

Ryan's Scooter

Clara was riding without a helmet on the back of her boyfriend, Ryan's, scooter when they hit a tree and she lost her top teeth. Later, Hortense would become Ryan's passenger when he moves in with Hortense and provides a sidecar for the scooter.